Public told to get tested for allergies

TANZANIA: THE public has been urged to cultivate the habit of getting tested for allergies to better prevent ailments associated with allergic conditions.

The advice was given by the Laboratory Manager at the Siha District-based Tanzania Infectious Diseases Institute (TIDI), Dr Shaban Mziray, while briefing Regional Medical Officers (RMOs) who visited the institute to observe activities at its modern laboratory.

“Checking allergy status is very important for clinical safety, public health tracking and navigating daily life. When one knows his or her sensitisation status, it helps prevent mild seasonal rhinitis from progressively worsening into chronic lower airway disease such as asthma,” he said.

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Dr Mziray said allergies are often difficult to recognise immediately because their symptoms resemble those of a common cold, making regular health checks important for early detection and treatment.

TIDI Acting Director, Dr Leonard Subi said confirming a patient’s allergy status before prescribing or administering medication helps prevent severe or life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions.

“Evaluating health status through regular checking before taking medications is a good habit. It helps ensure proper use of medicines, prevent adverse reactions and align treatments with specific clinical diagnostic patterns,” he said.

During the visit, RMOs Chairperson, Dr Best Magoma said the modern TIDI laboratory would play an important role in decentralising care, improving early detection of infectious diseases and reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for specialised diagnostic services.

He said the laboratory would also shorten the time between sample collection and clinical intervention for highly infectious pathogens, enabling patients to receive treatment earlier and recover more quickly.

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